CVE-2021-47288
📋 TL;DR
This CVE describes an out-of-bounds memory write vulnerability in the Linux kernel's ngene driver, which handles digital TV tuner cards. An attacker could exploit this to cause kernel memory corruption, potentially leading to system crashes or arbitrary code execution with kernel privileges. Systems using affected Linux kernel versions with the ngene driver loaded are vulnerable.
💻 Affected Systems
- Linux kernel
📦 What is this software?
Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →Linux Kernel by Linux
The Linux Kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, serving as the critical interface between computer hardware and software processes. As the heart of millions of servers, cloud infrastructure, embedded systems, Android devices, and IoT deployments worldwide, the Linux Kernel mana...
Learn more about Linux Kernel →⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Kernel privilege escalation leading to full system compromise, denial of service, or arbitrary code execution at kernel level.
Likely Case
Kernel panic or system crash causing denial of service, potentially requiring physical access to restart.
If Mitigated
No impact if ngene driver is not loaded or system is patched.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires local access and specific hardware/driver interaction. No known public exploits as of analysis.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Kernel versions with fixes from provided git commits
Vendor Advisory: https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4487b968e5eacd02c493303dc2b61150bb7fe4b2
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update Linux kernel to patched version from your distribution. 2. Rebuild kernel if compiling from source with fixed commits. 3. Reboot system to load new kernel.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable ngene driver
linuxPrevent loading of vulnerable ngene driver module
echo 'blacklist ngene' >> /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist-ngene.conf
rmmod ngene
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Ensure ngene driver is not loaded (check with 'lsmod | grep ngene')
- Restrict physical and local access to systems with vulnerable driver
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if ngene driver is loaded: 'lsmod | grep ngene' and check kernel version against affected rangesCheck Version:
uname -rVerify Fix Applied:
Verify kernel version is updated and ngene driver version matches patched commits📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Kernel oops messages
- System crashes/panics related to ngene driver
SIEM Query:
Search for kernel panic events or ngene driver errors in system logs🔗 References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4487b968e5eacd02c493303dc2b61150bb7fe4b2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8d4abca95ecc82fc8c41912fa0085281f19cc29f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b9a178f189bb6d75293573e181928735f5e3e070
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c6ddeb63dd543b5474b0217c4e47538b7ffd7686
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e617fa62f6cf859a7b042cdd6c73af905ff8fca3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e818f2ff648581a6c553ae2bebc5dcef9a8bb90c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e991457afdcb5f4dbc5bc9d79eaf775be33e7092
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec731c6ef564ee6fc101fc5d73e3a3a953d09a00
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/4487b968e5eacd02c493303dc2b61150bb7fe4b2
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/8d4abca95ecc82fc8c41912fa0085281f19cc29f
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/b9a178f189bb6d75293573e181928735f5e3e070
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/c6ddeb63dd543b5474b0217c4e47538b7ffd7686
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e617fa62f6cf859a7b042cdd6c73af905ff8fca3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e818f2ff648581a6c553ae2bebc5dcef9a8bb90c
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/e991457afdcb5f4dbc5bc9d79eaf775be33e7092
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/ec731c6ef564ee6fc101fc5d73e3a3a953d09a00
